‘It’s time to axe a third of Sefton Council councillors’ – Terry Jones

Terry Jones Conservative leader for Sefton wants 22 councillors to be axed and elections changed in bid to save £1million.

That’s the view of Sefton Conservative leader Cllr Terry Jones, who is putting forward his proposal to axe local politicians at next Thursday’s (November 19th) full Sefton Council meeting at Southport Town Hall.

Cllr Jones said, “We now need to look at where we the politicians can do our bit, there is currently a boundary review to reduce the number of MPS which will save millions, at local government we have seen a reduction in council workers including higher management.”
I believe that its time to look at the cost of local Cllrs, last year 2014/15 the elected members cost the taxpayer £760.191 in allowances and a further £33,412 in employer contributions totalling £793,603. On top of this we have further costs of member IT etc. By reducing cllr numbers by a third (22) the council could make a saving of £193.476 plus NI contributions. There will also be reduction in expenditure on IT etc.

By holding elections on a third basis this is a further cost and even disruption to some schools etc. By changing elections to a four year cycle the council could save £180,000. Over a four year period.

Cllr Jones said, “I have put this motion to the council, not as political move but I believe the interest of the taxpayer is paramount, with all the figures added together it could save the council over a million pound towards balancing our books. I propose this now hoping to start the process of meeting legal requirements in time for next years budget”

“I may lose my seat in such reorganisation but if it means the local council tax payers get good value for money then I can live with that”.